Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? The landlords are now required to make sure their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of any new or renewed tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be completely certified by 1 July 2024.

The areas covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We will evaluate your rental property and determine whether it satisfies the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts requirements. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager of any tasks required. needs to be completed and offer an assessment report that includes all the necessary information for your tenancy agreement’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to meet the obligations to comply with the Healthy Homes Standards is a violation of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and any landlord who is found to be not complying may be liable for up to $7200 plus any additional healthier homes connected fines.

Our company is completely independent assessors of rental properties we are fully qualified to assess each of Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

As of 1st July 2021, if a new, renewed or varied tenancy is signed for a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items have to be finished within 90 days.

Beginning on July 1st, 2021, once a new, renewed or varied Tenancy is signed for the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be done inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to each of Healthy Homes Standards inside of the anticipated timeframe could result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if a currently-in place Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t included within a new, renewed or amended tenancy agreement there could be an additional penalty or infringement fee.

Any tenant can ask for information about the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the building they reside in. If the the property manager doesn’t supply the information requested within 21 days of receiving the request, they may receive an infringement notice and be fined up to $750.

Furthermore, there’s also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers who have provided a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or any other information. The person who is liable for this fine is whoever is named on the tenancy contract as the person who is letting the property, so it could be the landlord’s name or the company that manages the property.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance needs to be current at the time that the tenancy agreement is completed, and should be maintained throughout the tenancy as any necessary work related to it’s finished.

It’s also important to remember that landlords who own multiple rental properties could face even higher fines for non-compliance. The harshest penalties are given for the most serious violations, and landlords who own six or more properties could be fined as high as $50,000, and even as high as $100,000 in hearings.

In the end, a failure to adhere to compliance with Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet hard, and result in significant fines and still having to meet compliance. Don’t take a chance with your rental property Call us today and request a home assessment done on your rental property.

Check out the complete details of this law. Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes are important

What is the reason Healthy Homes Compliance So Important?

Around 1 in 3 households rent from New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research shows us that these rental houses are more likely to be colder, older and are not as effective heating, and generally tend to be of poorer standard than those owned by owners.

The damp, cold and mouldy houses can have negative well-being outcomes, especially for diseases like colds and influenza, asthma, and cardiovascular issues. In addition, people who reported at least four key home quality issues often suffer from poor life satisfaction and lower mental health.

The improvement in the standard of Plimmerton rental property will allow tenants to enjoy improved physical and mental health and minimise the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of illnesses. Your investment is also better safeguarded from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standard is a set of specific and minimal standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture Ingress and Drainage, and Draught Stopping in Plimmerton rental properties.

Get started now and contact us about receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts increase the likelihood of less temperature in homes. A damp house is more expensive to heat, resulting in wasted energy and increased bills.

If a draught can be noticed from gaps that are not adequate or holes or holes, it needs to be sealed.

What are unjustifiable gaps or holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you can feel it, it is most likely a gap or hole which requirements sealing in somehow. Cracks and gaps that are large should be sealed permanently. Cracks that are greater than 3mm and allow air to enter or exit within your house require the sealing. For example, if an open fireplace isn’t in use it could cause draughts, and should be blocked off. Property managers and landlords are responsible for making sure that these draughts are stopped as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to block gaps or holes which are part of the construction. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows might be necessary to allow for movement of the building when the house is heated and cools so that they can still be closed and opened instead of instead of being stuck. We will examine all windows and doors as part of our Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

Get the complete information of the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are crucial to ensure healthy homes

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton should have a permanent heating source that can warm the largest or main living space to at least 18degC, even during the coldest days of the year. This is the minimum indoor temperature that is recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being as well as their mental health.

The source of heat needs for it to be permanent (i.e. not portable), at minimum 1.5 horsepower in capacity, and must meet the minimum capacity for heating required for the main living room. A Heating Assessment Tool can be used to determine if the existing installed heater(s) are adequate or whether you will need to top up by adding a second heater. Fires that are open and unflued heaters such as the portable LPG bottle heaters aren’t considered to be acceptable heating options under The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating system you offer is electric heating or heat pump it must be equipped with a thermostat. This will help make the heating more consistent and efficient. For the majority of homes, bigger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are necessary. However, in some cases like small apartments an electric, fixed heater might be enough.

If the main living room already has a permanent heating source, like the heat pump, it might require an upgrade in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters cannot be utilised to meet the quality as they are either costly, not affordable to run, and/or unhealthy to run.

Check out the complete details to details on Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Every living space of a rental property must contain at minimum one open door or window to offer natural airflow. Additionally, areas with high moisture areas such as kitchens and bathrooms need to have an externally vented extractor to take moisture away.

A ventilation quality is about recognising that the dry atmosphere is easier to heat and heat, and a well ventilated rental property is less likely to be a victim of mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and dining rooms are all considered living spaces. Connecting spaces such as the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore are not require an opening door or window.

Each window, door , or skylight requirements to have the ability to open up to the outside, but remain set in an opening position in order to allow ventilation and fresh air ventilation.

All bathrooms and kitchens and any other room in your home with shower, bath or cooktop, or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. We offer a Healthy Homes Assessment service will check that there is adequate air circulation in every living space and will also check for the proper extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry house is a healthy home

Insulation Plimmerton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is required in all rental homes from 1 July 2019. All landlords and property managers are required to ensure that the insulation is up to current standard. In some cases, old ceiling insulation as well as insulation within the sub floor space might need to be filled with or replaced.

A well-insulated house can reduce condensation, and decrease the risk of mould and dampness, and it will make more easy for the home to hold warmth.

Insulation needs to be in compliance with the R-values required for your area

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, better the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland Ceiling R 2.9 in the underfloor, 1.3
• Zone 2 – the rest of the North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and the entire South Island – ceiling R 3.3, underfloor R 1.3

Check out the complete details of this Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

Making sure your rental property is protected from water damage isn’t only about the interior of the building It’s about having to make sure there is somewhere for surface and underground water to flow and to prevent it from getting inside. When it is damp and moisture, it’s frequently the concerns you don’t notice that could become a major issue and end up causing damage to your investment as well as affecting the tenant’s health.

Rental properties need to be equipped with efficient drainage to get rid of storm water, surface water and ground water, which includes the proper outfall or runoff. Making sure the water has a location to go, and it doesn’t get sucked into buildings is an essential part of making sure your property is dry.

Alongside the drainage system that will prevent moisture from entering, if your apartment has an enclosed gap between floorboards and soil, a ground-water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to install it.

A ground moisture barrier is typically made of polythene and is laid on top of the ground to prevent any moisture from the ground from getting into the home. It also helps prevent any damage to your underfloor insulation.

Learn more about the Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Healthy Homes Standard. Healthy Homes Standards in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Rooms
• Bedroom
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are many concerns you should look for when conducting the home review to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. A few examples are:

• Is the space under the floor insulated and is a ground moisture barrier in place?
• Is the ceiling insulation in require of topping up? need to be topped up or replaced?
• Do you think the heating system has sufficient capacity?
• Do you have enough drainage? stopping of draughts?
• Does the house have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy Home with regard to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently getting on the wrong side of the tenant solutions ruling can be extremely costly for landlords and property managers. For expert guidance, contact us today and book your rental property house evaluation.